When you are a high-flying professional, aspiring to get that promotion and reach the top of your field, you will know the importance of making a good impression to fellow industry professionals. Part of this will be linked to your expertise, determination, and track record, but when you first walk into the boardroom the people present won’t know about your impressive history, they will just take you at face value. Literally. You may have the best performance in the whole company, but if you turn up to work looking like a slob, there is no way you are going to be taken seriously.

To get your look back on track, this guide will offer you five easy things you can do to present yourself as the professional you know you can be.

How to get the best shave

Finding the perfect hairstyle

Choosing the right suit

The best shoes for a professional

The right work-bag

A close shave

When you are a man, one of the most important parts of your grooming regimen will be getting a quality, smooth shave. To ensure you have the best shave possible, many men will opt for multiple blade razors, but these actually come with a whole host of problems:

They cause irritation to the skin because more blades are grazing your face with each stroke

They cut hair below the skin which leads to ingrowing hairs and potential infections

They are very expensive and not environmentally friendly

However, a positive alternative to these is to make the leap back to a simpler time with a traditional safety blade. You can discover more about safety razors online, but here are the main things you need to know:

A safety blade uses only one blade which means that you have great control and precision with your shaving

Using a single blade reduces irritation by reducing the number of times a blade is pressed against your skin

Safety blades do not cut hair under the skin’s surface meaning the likelihood of ingrowing hairs goes down

First impressions count

One of the first things people will notice about you when you enter a room is your hair. If you walk into the boardroom with greasy, badly styled hair, you will instantly be putting people off. So, how to do you make sure this doesn’t happen?

The right haircut

Start by researching professional hairstyles for men and booking into a premium hairdressers for a cut. Talk to the barber about what will suit your face shape and hair texture so that you get the best possible outcome.

Styling it right

Now that you have a great haircut, it is important that you know how to style it. A common problem with men is that they will use too much product and not do enough preparation to make their style work. When you get out of the shower, apply a volumizing hair mousse to towel dried hair and finish the style with matte products to give the appearance of thick and healthy locks.

The right look

Your suit has the power to make or break your first impressions with people, so you need to take some advice from a guide to choosing the right suits so that you aren’t making rookie mistakes.

Don’t be fooled: With buying shoes and accessories, many men will decide to buy black items as these are viewed as the most versatile, but when it comes to suits this rule falls flat. A jet-black suit is only every really suitable for a funeral and being worn to a job interview or an important meeting will make you look like the grim reaper.

What do you do instead?

Choose a block color suit in a neutral shade, such as navy blue or charcoal gray never fail to impress

If a block color feels too bold, opting for a subtle plaid or check design is your best option

The right cut

When it comes to suits, there are two popular cuts: The single breasted and the doubled breasted. Choosing which one is right for you means having a good think about the type of event you are going to be wearing this suit at. The single-breasted suit is more common and can be dressed up or down easily to suit different occasions. However, the double-breasted, while less versatile, is much more effortlessly professional, carrying the weight of 1980s Wall Street success vibes with it.

These boots were made for walking

Black Leather Oxford: These are the archetypal formal shoe that is the perfect choice for job interviews, important meetings, and making the best first impression at networking events.

Brown Leather Brogues: These shoes offer the laid-back sophistication for everyday office wear but can also be dressed down for informal meetings, business dinners, and dates.

Slip-on Chelsea Boot: The Chelsea boot is a wardrobe staple that is versatile enough to be a comfortable alternative that looks equally as smart with a pair of jeans as they do with a bespoke suit.

Carrying it all off

Finally, with any job you will need to take a bag with you filled with all the things you need for the day. When you were younger, taking an old rucksack might have been okay, but now that you are aiming to impress, you need to step up your game and get a work bag that turns head. When looking at some of the best office bags for men, an easy way to get it right is to go for a classic material, such as leather, in a plain design.

One great tip to think about when it comes to your bag is matching the color with your shoes. If you are going out in your brown leather brogues, opting for a similar colored briefcase will instantly ass coordination and thought to your look.

About I2Mag

I2Mag, an Internet & Design Inspiration Magazine having emphasis on empowering and inspiring people by spreading the waves of knowledge. I2Mag is an independent news source dedicated to covering start-ups, reviewing internet products, social media, digital culture and technology news.